Maryland vs. Wisconsin Pick
Can No. 5 Wisconsin cover a three-score spread when it plays host to Maryland later today in Big Ten action at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Wisconsin is the clear favorite at home, as the Badgers are getting odds of -24.5 points against Maryland. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 50.5 points. Wisconsin has won both Big Ten meetings with Maryland, but the two have split the spread in the two meetings. The public is currently putting 61 percent of the wagers on Wisconsin at home. Today’s game takes place from Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin and will air live on FOX.
Wisconsin improved to 6-0 on the season with a 17-9 win over Purdue at home last week. The Badgers are also 3-0 in the Big Ten and 3-3 against the spread. The Badgers are just 1-3 ATS at home this year. Wisconsin has a dominant defense that is allowing just 13.3 points and 265 yards per game. Their run defense is holding opponents to 78.8 yards per contest. On offense, Wisconsin is averaging 36.3 points and 466.5 yards per game. Jonathan Taylor is having a huge year, rushing for 986 yards and 10 touchdowns to lead the offense. Alex Hornibrook is adding 1,210 yards and 11 touchdowns with six interceptions.
Maryland comes into this weekend just 3-3 on the season and 1-2 in the Big Ten following a 37-21 loss at home to Northwestern last weekend. The Terps are 3-3 against the spread this season, including 2-1 ATS on the road. Maryland has a defense that gives up 36.5 points and 439 yards per game. Offensively, Maryland is putting up 31.7 points per game, but averaging just 339.2 yards per contest. Max Bortenschlager is the third-string QB that has been forced into action due to injuries. He has thrown for 561 yards with six touchdowns, but is averaging just 5.29 yards per attempt. D.J. Moore has caught 44 passes for 624 yards and seven touchdowns while Ty Johnson has 488 rushing yards with four touchdowns.
Wisconsin just hasn’t looked good at home this season. The Badgers only beat Purdue by 8 last week and only beat Northwestern by 9 three weeks ago. While Maryland hasn’t been impressive itself, asking the Badgers to cover 25 points is a lot. Maryland has performed better on the road than it has at home this season. While it was blown out by Ohio State a few weeks ago, Wisconsin’s offense isn’t capable of doing what the Buckeyes did. Wisconsin is just 1-5-1 ATS in its last seven home games and 1-3-1 ATS in its last five Big Ten contests.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: MARYLAND +24.5